Trump to Host Zelenskyy at the White House After Breakthrough Mineral Agreement
College Speaker: The Holocaust Was Not Unique
'They Crossed the Line': Tom Homan Issues Threat to Activists Who Doxed ICE...
Rachel Maddow's Very, Very, Very Special Friend
Firearms Policy Coalition Takes to Court to Argue Only Congress Can Create Laws
Guests During the First White House Tour of the New Administration Get a...
Richard Blumenthal Claims Dan Bongino Has 'Zero Experience' to Be FBI Deputy Director
Two Airplanes at Reagan National Airport Narrowly Avoided a Collision
Legacy Media Outlets Really Ought to Calm Down Over White House's Decision on...
Trump, Vance Put the Mainstream Media in Their Place When Taking Questions at...
Shiri Bibas' Family Is Suing Al-Jazeera
Trump Encouraged by GOP Lawmakers to Recognize West Bank As Israeli Territory
Pam Bondi Dismisses Biden-Era DEI Lawsuits Involving Merit-Based Hiring of Firefighters, C...
Harmeet Dhillon Vows to Enforce the Law Against Racist DEI Practices
Pam Bondi Drops the Hammer on States Defying Trump's Trans Athlete Executive Order
Tipsheet

Senate Democrat Announces His Retirement

AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

Sen. Patrick Leahy announced Monday he will retire at the end of his term.

In office since 1975, the 81-year-old Vermont Democrat is the longest serving senator still in office. 

Advertisement

"While I will continue to serve Vermont, Marcelle and I have reached the conclusion that it's time to put down the gavel. It is time to pass the torch to the next Vermonter who will carry on this work for our great state. It's time to come home," Leahy said at a press conference in Vermont.

"I'm proud to be Vermont's longest-serving senator because I know my time in the Senate has made a difference for Vermonters," he continued. "I know I've been there for my state when I was needed most. I know I've taken our best ideas and helped them grow. I brought Vermont's voice to the United States Senate and Vermont's values around the world."

The announcement marks the end of a political era. First elected to the Senate in 1974, Leahy is the last of the so-called Watergate babies who were elected after President Richard Nixon’s resignation. During his nearly half-century in the Senate, Vermont shifted from one of the most solidly Republican states in the country to one of its most progressive.

That transition will be critical to Democrats who hope to maintain control of the Senate after next year’s midterm elections. With the chamber evenly divided, the party can’t afford to lose any of its current seats. [...]

By retiring and creating the first vacancy in Vermont’s congressional delegation since 2006, Leahy sets up a scramble to succeed him among a number of the state’s up-and-coming politicians. (AP)

Advertisement

Leahy is now the sixth U.S. senator to announce their retirement. Sens. Richard Burr, Roy Blunt, Richard Shelby, Pat Toomey, and Rob Portman—all Republicans—have also said they’re leaving public office. 

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement